As Christmas approaches, many area churches will be presenting seasonal programs to honor the birth of Christ.

The events range from timeless cantatas and classic children’s pageants to cocoa and cookies with concerts, offering a special time to bring the community together in celebration.

Gibson United Methodist Church will present a Christmas cantata Sunday at 11 a.m. at the church, located at 335 Oak Ridge Rd. Dr. Paul Ballard will direct “Hope Has Hands,” by Russell Malden. The arrangement presents a joyous Christmas message and includes classic songs like “Mary Did You Know?” as well as new compositions.

Hawkins United Methodist Church will present a Christmas Cantata Sunday, Dec. 15, at 10:30 a.m. Hawkins UMC is located at 3736 Halls Ferry Rd. Mallory Pickering, director of music, will lead the chancel choir in “Christmas, The Story That Never Grows Old” during the worship service. The cantata was created by Dave Clark and tells the story of a redeemer sent to earth.

In addition to a cantata, First Baptist Church will host Cocoa, Cookies & Classic Christmas Carols at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. A piano and organ concert begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a choral presentation at 6 p.m. The event will feature the Sanctuary Choir and Worship Band, as well as Warren Central High School Indoor Percussion, RiverPointe Dance Academy and the Debra Franco Preparatory School of Dance students, Vicksburg Senior Strummers Dulcimer Club and FBCV Preschool and Children’s Choirs. First Baptist Church is located at 1607 Cherry St.

Also Sunday, Dec. 15, Crawford St. United Methodist Church’s Chancel Choir will present “A Festival of Lessons and Carols,” by Hal Hopson at 10:55 a.m. Mary Kate Core, music minister, will direct the presentation. Core described it as “a delightful expansion on favorite carols presented tastefully throughout the service with plenty of opportunities for congregational singing.” A fund-raising luncheon for the ministry outreach, Service Over Self, will follow in Floral Hall at noon. CSUMC is located at 900 Crawford St.

Sunday, Dec. 22, the CSUMC children will present a classic Children’s Christmas Pageant during the morning worship service at 10:55 a.m.

At First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg, the church will present a traditional Children’s Pageant at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, followed by a Christmas potluck at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at 10:30 a.m., a choral presentation will be given by the church choir, directed by Sharon Penley. First Presbyterian Church is located at 1501 Cherry St.

Elevate Church, located at 3527 Manor Dr. A, will host a special kids’ program during Sunday Worship Service Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. This program will present the Christmas story from the children’s perspective.

Sunday, Dec. 22, at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., Triumph Church will host “Christmas at Triumph” during regular worship service. The service will feature a Christmas message and Christmas music. On Christmas Eve, there will be a candlelight service at 5 p.m. at the church. Triumph Church is located at 136 Honeysuckle Ln.